Recording apparatus



March 8, 1955 goL-r 2,703,746

RECORDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1952 INVENTOR. Rulg'er B. Colfi BY ATTORNEY United States Patent a ll RECORDING APPARATUS Rutger B. Colt, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Bendix Aviatron Corporation, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Delaware Application January 3, 1952, Serial No. 264,785

4 Claims. (Cl. 346-440) The present invention relates generally to improvements in recording apparatus and more particularly to an improved writing member for a recorder subjected to relatively wide variations in temperature.

In developing a recording unit that will perform satisfactorily over a wide range in ambient temperature, viz., from minus 50 degrees C. to plus 75 degrees C., and particularly in connection with the type of recorder embodying a fountain pen as its marking device, means must be provided for insuring flow of the marking medium under all conditions of ambient temperature. In the case of a fountain pen of the ball point type, wherein the marking medium is more in the nature of a pasty substance rather than a free-flowing liquid ink, low temperature will cause the pasty substance to solidify and thereby render the pen useless for further recording. None of the commercially available marking fluids for ball point pens will retain their ability to produce a smooth, uninterrupted record throughout the aforesaid range in ambient temperature, and if such a pen is to be used under such circumstances, some provision must be made to overcome the defect.

The present invention solves the problem in a simple and direct manner, resulting in a recording unit that will perform satisfactorily throughout a wide range in ambient temperature, and with the addition of several parts that do not add materially to the complexity, cost, or weight of the unit.

In short, a relatively small fountain pen is suitably mounted for cooperation with the record chart, and an electric heating coil surrounds the magazine or barrel containing the supply of marking medium. A marking medium is selected such that it will produce a satisfactory record under normal conditions of ambient temperature, and for those applications wherein low ambient temperatures will have a tendency to solidify the marking medium, the electric heating coil will generate sufficient heat in the area surrounding the pens magazine to retain the marking fluid in condition for writing. A miniature thermostat mounted adjacent to the pen and heating coil assembly accurately controls the operation of the heating coil so that heat is supplied only when required. Additionally, a common bracket supports both the thermostat and the pen and heating coil assembly, thereby resulting in a very compact and efficient arrangement of parts. Furthermore, the arrangement is such that the heating coil and thermostat can be furnished as an attachment easily assembled in place when needed. Moreover, the design permits quick replacement of the fountain pen, as required, without in any way disturbing or affecting the other parts of the assembly.

All of the above-enumerated advantages and benefits resulting from the present invention will be readily understood upon reference to the detailed description set forth below, when taken in conjunction with the single sheet of drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side view, in elevation, showing the novel arrangement of parts making up the invention; and

Figure 2 is a front view of the pen and its associated arts. P Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a fountain pen, generally indicated by 3, having a barrel 4 and an offset marking point 5. The point 5 is of the ball point type and the pen 3 is mounted for cooperation with a chart (not shown) that passes over the roller 6. A cap 7 is provided in the pen to permit replenishing of the marking medium as desired. This medium is in the 2,703,746 Patented Mar. 8, 1955 nature of a pasty semi-liquid and its ability to flow is affected by ambient temperature.

The pen 3 moves back and forth along the axis of roller 6 and this motion is accomplished by attaching the pen to a two-part carriage assembly 8, the carriage assembly being suitably connected (not shown) to the pen-positioning mechanism (not shown) of the recording apparatus. The carriage assembly 8 comprises a T- bracket 2 and an L-bracket 11, suitably clamped together by means of the knurled bolt 12.

The T-bracket 9 is affixed to the pen-positioning mechanism and supported and guided through its travel by means of the guide rails 13, 14. The common leg 15 of the T-bracket has its end wrapped around the rail 13 and the T-sections have down-turned apertured ears 16 cooperating with rail 14. The L-bracket 11 has a channeled leg 17 resting on the T-bracket 9, the two parts being clamped together, as aforesaid, at one end of the T-bracket by means of bolt 12. The other ends of the brackets are pinned together by means of the apertured ears 18 extending up from the T-bracket leg 15, cooperating with suitable pins 19 afiixed to the channeled leg 17 of the L-bracket.

The upturned leg 21 of the L-bracket 11 carries the pen 3 and associated parts. A horizontal post 22 projects outwardly from leg 21, being secured thereto by means of screws 23. The outer end of post 22 is slotted at 24, the slot opening into an aperture through which the pen 3 passes. A screw 25 extends transversely through post 22 at its slotted end. When screw 25 is tightened in place, the pen 3 is clamped securely in position.

Surrounding the barrel 4 of pen 3 is a spool 26 on which is wound an electric heating coil 27. A slightly-sprung slotted sleeve 30 is positioned between the barrel and the spool to hold the spool securely in place after assembly. Along one edge of leg 21 is a flange 28 to which a miniature thermostat 29 is suitably secured by means of screws 31. The lugs 32, 33 extend from opposite ends of thermostat 29 so that suitable connecting leads can be affixed thereto.

Along the back side of leg 21 an insulating panel 34 is clamped in place by means of screws 23, and this panel carries a two-pronged electric plug 35 for co-action with a suitable socket (not shown) so that electric energy can be supplied to the pen assembly. The connecting leads are not shown, but suffice to say, that the thermostat 29 and coil 27 are connected in series with the plug 35.

With the above arrangement of parts in mind, when the ambient temperature at the pen drops below a predetermined value, the thermostat will close the circuit to the heating coil and the heat generated by the coil will penetrate into the pen barrel and keep the marking medium in condition for uninterrupted writing. By mounting the thermostat and the pen on a common bracket, accurate control of heat can be maintained for all positions of the pen. Furthermore, the arrangement permits quick replacement of pens, as required, and the compactness of the arrangement adds very little weight to the carriage assembly, thus imposing no significant load on the pen-positioning mechanism. Additionally, the arrangement permits the heating coil and thermostat to be furnished as auxiliary parts, the performance of the pen not being affected by the presence or absence of such units, unless it is subjected to temperatures low enough to restrict flow of the Writing medium, in which case the auxiliary parts can be quickly and readily assembled in place. The usual arrangement would be to have the entire assembly in place and ready to perform with the thermostat governing action of the heater coil as required.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In condition recording apparatus subjected to variations in ambient temperature and of the type embodying a fountain pen cooperating with a chart for producing a suitable record, the combination of: a fountain pen having a relatively short barrel containing a supply of writing medium and having a writing tip immediately adjacent said barrel, means for supporting said pen so that its writing tip contacts said chart; an electric coil adapted for connection to a source of electric energy for heating said writing medium, a hollow spool on which said. coil. is. wound, said. spool being. slidably disposed on said barrel, means removably atfixing said spool to said barrel comprising a slightly sprung sleeve interposed between the spool and barrel, said sleeve being slotted axially thereof to permit release of spring tension for ease in assembly and disassembly of the spool with respect to said barrel, and a miniature thermostat mounted adjacent said coil and said barrel for controlling the heating action of said coil.

2. The combination as defined by claim 1, wherein said pen is of the ball-point type.

3. The combination as defined by claim 1, wherein said pen-supporting means includes a bracket member serving as a. commonsupport for the pen and thermostat.

4. In condition recording apparatus subjected to variations in ambient temperature and of the type embodying a fountain pen cooperating with a chart for producing a suitable record, the combination of: a fountain pen having a relatively short barrel containing a supply of writing medium and having a writing tip adjacent one movably mounted on said supporting means adjacent said coil.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,656,338 Ranger Ian. 17, 1928 1,958,406 Darrah May 15, 1934 2,095,851 Aimes Oct. 12, 1937 2,582,043 Krahulec Ian. 8, 1952 

